26-11: Matsuzaka pitches a complete gem

Even against the team with the second best record in the AL, the Red Sox keep rolling. Starter Daisuke Matsuzaka (5-2) went the distance tonight, using 124 pitches to hold the Detroit Tigers to just one run on six hits in a 7-1 victory. But perhaps the key number for Dice-K? Zero walks.

Matsuzaka was in control all night, the only run coming on a solo home run by Curtis Granderson in the 3rd inning. After that, it was smooth sailing the whole way, as Matsuzaka scattered what few baserunners he allowed. This is the Dice-K Red Sox Nation has been waiting to see.

The Red Sox lineup did a great job of working Nate Robertson tonight, fouling off pitches and making him work for outs. Robertson threw 115 pitches in just five innings of work, and the Sox got to the bullpen pretty quickly. They scored four runs off of Bobby Seay and put the game out of reach in the bottom of the 8th.

The Sox totaled 15 hits and two walks on the night, and seven Boston hitters had multi-hit games. Manny was back in the lineup, which is good, and Jason Varitek continues to swing a hot bat. Julio Lugo also had a good game, with two hits and a stolen base off of Pudge Rodriguez. Looks like the offense is finally getting going. Once Manny’s bat comes around, watch out.